Virtually every advance in communications technology since the telegraph has been accompanied by claims that it would bring more understanding, more empathy, more democracy— in essence, more hope to the human condition.

Wait no longer! Community radio is headed to the Capital Region... but it won't happen without your support!

Imagine! Just when you'd given up on broadcast radio, a non-commercial, community station— dedicated to bringing you local news, local public affairs, local music, local culture and just plain fun—is on the horizon.We need YOU to organize your family, neighbors, co-workers and friends (including people with whom you don't always agree!) to buy one of the 100 watts with which we'll be broadcasting. If 100 people contribute (or fundraise) $250, we'll have the $25,000 we need to go on the air this fall!

The Spring 2015 season at The Sanctuary for Independent Media kicked off on March 21st with the Nile Project, a 15-piece band of musical activists which the New York Times called "a committed, euphoric international coalition, a superb example of small-world music, of what happens to traditions in the information age."

Throughout the season, The Sanctuary for Independent Media will present many events ranging from music to films and speakers. Highlights include musical performances by the African artists Tal National and Noura Mint Seymali, talks by anti-poverty activist Cheri Honkala, radical journalist Chris Hedges and media activist Pete Tridish, screenings of films by the 70s-era Videofreex camcorder pioneers and environmental activist Deborah Koons Garcia, and much, much more!

Schedule featured StoryHarvest at Freedom Square, musical performances, films, speakers, workshops and a new gallery show.

The Fall 2014 season at The Sanctuary for Independent Media kicked off outdoors in Freedom Square on September 27th with the fourth annual StoryHarvest celebration, featuring performances by the Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra and Nation Beat, plus art activities and a free community potluck BBQ.

Throughout the season, The Sanctuary for Independent Media presented many events ranging from music to films and speakers. Highlights include musical performances by the alt LA band Las Cafeteras, pianist Myra Melford and the genre-bending Jaimeo Brown Transcendence, a talk by radical environmentalist Leslie James Pickering, screenings of new films (with the filmmakers) including "The Yes Men Are Revolting" and another on the highly controversial subject of Palestinian rights, and much, much more!

The fourth annual StoryHarvest Festival community celebration, featuring free food, music, art activities and more, took place from 3:30 PM until sunset on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Freedom Square in North Troy (101st Street where 5th and 6th Avenues meet).

Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra took the stage at 3:30 PM, performing their amazing original blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms including salsa, merengue, cha-cha, bomba, plena and Latin jazz.

At 5 PM, the band Nation Beat brought on their 21st century mash-up of the thunderous grooves of northeastern Brazil fused with the strolling swagger of New Orleans funk.

Uptown Summer is a 5-week series of arts and sustainability activities for young people in North Troy, NY. Now in its fourth year, this summer's theme was: "Environmental Justice for Our Local Community and Beyond."

Join in a workshop! Help paint a mural on the Sanctuary facade, learn about permaculture as we strive to bio-remediate toxic soil, become part of the choir in a singing ritual to bees, and collaborate in "eco-actions!" For more info on how you can be involved in Uptown Summer workshops, check out each week's listing below.

The Spring 2014 season at The Sanctuary for Independent Media kicked off on March 15th with the Matthew Shipp Trio and concluded on June 7 with the Freedom Festival, featuring the Brooklyn-based Pitchblak Brass Band and Albany's own Oobleck on the outdoor concert stage at Freedom Square.

The season featured many events ranging from music to films to speakers. Highlights included performances from groups led by Brazilian singer Luísa Maita and Malian guitarist Oumar Konate, a look into the exciting field of bio art with Oron Catts, a career retrospective hosted by "Gimme Shelter" documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles as well as several new documentaries with the filmmakers including Sean Gallagher and "Brothers of the Black List," an investigation into the consequences of shale gas production, and much much more!

The Matthew Shipp Trio launched the Spring 2014 season at The Sanctuary for Independent Media while celebrating the release of their new recording, "Root of Things" (Relative Pitch Records), and the Sanctuary's newly donated 9 foot Baldwin concert grand, with Matthew Shipp, piano, Michael Bisio, bass, and Whit Dickey, drums.

The acquisition of this Baldwin is a major addition to the Sanctuary; manufactured in 1984, it spent the first few years of its life on loan to Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. In 1987, with the help of the New York State Council on the Arts, the piano was obtained by the IMAC Theater in Huntington, Long Island and remained there until its move this year to The Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy, NY.

During its lifetime, it has been played by many illustrious pianists including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Dr. John, Elaine Elias, Joe Sample, Marsha Ball and Sun Ra, to name a few. The great pianist Matthew Shipp will be will be added to this elite list on March 15th!

NATURE Lab uses arts as a seed to reclaim public space and build community. Situated on a neglected block in Troy, NY, this living learning laboratory engages networks of artists and scientists, media makers and gardeners, community organizers and neighbors in collective actions stimulating environmental health and sustainability.

Funding for development of the NATURE Lab by Media Alliance has been announced as part of Round 3 of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Council initiative through the Capital Region Economic Development Council and the NYS Council on the Arts.

The NATURE Lab will integrate art, science, and technology in a series of community workshops, public art installations, and inter-regional arts and cultural exchanges. Artist teams will work with the community around issues of "curing" our local ecologies, environmental health and sustainability.

The traveling edition of Mali's award-winning "Festival in the Desert," featuring two of Africa’s most powerful musical groups, stopped in Troy NY for a free all-ages show in Freedom Square on Friday, July 26, 2013. Freedom Square is located at 39 5th Avenue, where 101st Street meets 5th and 6th Avenues in North Troy. Bring lawn blankets and chairs.

War can’t stop the music, and Malian artists continue to practice their art despite upheaval and violence. In support of and to highlight their tenacity, the Festival au Desert - Caravan for Peace, brings to the US legendary Malian artists adored in Mali.

The Festival in the Desert has featured everyone from rock idols to Saharan nomads, Now it is coming to several U.S. and Canadian cities this July and August, 2013. In addition to Freedom Square, stops include New York (Lincoln Center Out of Doors), Montreal (Festival Nuit d’Afrique), Santa Fe (Lensic Theater), Northampton MA (Iron Horse), Trumansburg NY (Grassroots Festival), Spiegeltent at the Hudson Valley’s Bard Music Festival, and more in Brooklyn, Washington DC and beyond.

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The Sanctuary for Independent Media is located at 3361 6th Avenue in North Troy, New York
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 35 Troy, NY 12181 -- Phone: (518) 272-2390
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